Pete Makowski

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Pete Makowski
Wednesday, June 19, 2013Age: 33

Location:
Road to Jean NV Las Vegas , NV United States

Pete Makowski, was killed in June when he was struck from behind by a gravel truck while on a training ride. He was a teammate of the Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air cycling team.

After the accident the whole team got together to remember Pete, and
also to talk about what happened,” recalled Bestwick, co-founder and
co-director of the 10-year-old elite amateur race team that includes
masters and developmental level riders. “We realized as a group that we
didn’t always do everything we could to ride safely.”

So the team decided to do something about it.

“We asked ourselves what would Pete ask of us and what would he do to
prevent further loss of life,” continued Bestwick. “The answers came to
us through our understanding of Pete as an individual. Pete was a jet
mechanic and spent almost every waking hour of his life fixing things to
perfection, including himself. So we put ourselves in his shoes and
asked ourselves how can we become safer cyclists? Because that’s what
Pete would have done.”

Three feet. That’s all they’re asking for. From drivers. And from cyclists, too.

This is the simple — but critically important — message being
delivered by Andy Bestwick and his 25 teammates on the Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air cycling team, of which we’re a cosponsor.

They’re calling the initiative Three Feet for Pete in honor
and memory of teammate Pete Makowski, who was killed in June when he was
struck from behind by a gravel truck while on a training ride. Pete was
a safe rider and set an example for all riders. On the day he was
killed, he was doing everything he could to be safe. Pete was known for
choosing safe routes and always following traffic rules.

Bestwick says the team is planning a memorial ride in honor of
Makowski, while at the same time doing everything it can to raise
awareness about the State of Nevada law that mandates drivers give
cyclists a three-foot berth when passing.

“After the accident the whole team got together to remember Pete, and
also to talk about what happened,” recalled Bestwick, co-founder and
co-director of the 10-year-old elite amateur race team that includes
masters and developmental level riders. “We realized as a group that we
didn’t always do everything we could to ride safely.”

So the team decided to do something about it.

“We asked ourselves what would Pete ask of us and what would he do to
prevent further loss of life,” continued Bestwick. “The answers came to
us through our understanding of Pete as an individual. Pete was a jet
mechanic and spent almost every waking hour of his life fixing things to
perfection, including himself. So we put ourselves in his shoes and
asked ourselves how can we become safer cyclists? Because that’s what
Pete would have done.”

Instead of directing all their sorrow and anger at the driver or the
tragic circumstances, the team has dedicated itself to educating drivers
about the three-foot rule. They are also imploring cyclists to obey a
set of best practices that will allow them to better take control of
their own safety.

Those three principals are:

1. Know the law and obey it: This goes for drivers and riders.
Less confusion on the roadways will lead to safer interactions between
cars and riders.

2. Be a defensive rider: Look, listen and consider cars in advance
of coming in contact with them. Don’t assume a motorist will act a
certain way. Also be conservative, cautious, and courteous, while always
looking for a safe exit.

3. Seek routes with three feet: Choose riding routes with a bike
lane or wide shoulder. Lawmakers and planners across the country have
worked hard to provide cyclists with these zones of safety and we should
use them.

“We were all really sad and we miss Pete and his great spirit,” added
Bestwick. “But we also realized that this could have happened to any of
us. We’ve all ridden that road before.”

Bestwick and his teammates are working on an educational website, and
are hoping to put on the memorial ride in connection with the annual
Interbike cycling industry trade show, which takes place in Las Vegas in
mid-September. But even if they are not able to get the necessary
permits in time, the primary message is already out there.

“Be safe,” said Bestwick. “That’s the No. 1 message that all cyclists need to hear, understand and implement.”